Taskforce needed to address Qld paramedic attacks: Union

The Queensland government needs to set up a taskforce to investigate the rising number of paramedics being attacked on the job, the state's ambulance union says.

The call comes in the wake of the bashing of paramedic Brad Johnson, who was allegedly attacked by a man he was treating in the back of an ambulance on Friday night.

Paramedic Brad Johnson speaks to reporters on Saturday, hours after he was allegedly bashed in the back of an ambulance.

Photo: Queensland Ambulance Service

Mr Johnson managed to avoid serious injury, but is nursing cuts to his face and a black eye.

"It's so lucky I didn't take a severe blow to the temple or lose an eye or fracture a jaw. It could have so easily been much worse," he said.

Mr Johnson suffered cuts, bruises and a black eye during the attack.

Photo: Queensland Ambulance Service

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United Voice, the union that represents paramedics, called on Queensland's Health and Ambulance Services Minister Cameron Dick to set up a taskforce to combat the increase in attacks on its members.

The union said paramedics made 247 claims of assault for 2014-15, up 40 percent on the previous financial year.

"We're seeing an increase in attacks on all medical staff and unfortunately, no one is more exposed to risk than paramedics, who represent the absolute front-line in emergency response," United Voice Secretary Gary Bullock said.